The I Ching is not light reading that can easily be consumed in between other activities. You should therefore read the book in the quiet of your study. Don’t have one? Then pop it in your bag, hop on your bike or drive out of town, and find a lovely spot by the water. Sit back and relax, open the book, and the images and words will come to you more easily.
Above you can see ‘Reading the Book of Changes by a Mountain Stream’ by Uragami Gyokudo (1745–1820), a Japanese musician, painter, poet and calligrapher. It takes a bit of looking to spot the hut belonging to the person studying the book in the painting.
I am too lazy and obstinate to paint small scenes;
I can wet the black ink and grind the red, but ideas are difficult.
Why busy myself to death with my small talents?
Better to discard the brush and face the true mountains.
Uragami Gyokudo - vertaald door Stephen Addiss
